Peyton's POV
Down through the chimney comes Saint Nick.
"Peyton, it is July!" Patrick groans, massaging his temples. "Why is Christmas music, of all things, stuck in your head?"
"Excuse me, Up On the Housetop is a classic." I retort, looking up at him from my sketchbook.
"It may be, but Christmas is a few months away. Can you hold off for maybe five months?" Patrick turns back to the piano, playing a Middle C and a few high notes.
"Up on the housetop, click click click." I sing quietly. Patrick attempts a glare, but the small smile playing on his lips shows me he isn't mad.
"Hey, Peyton?" Alec bursts into the music room, a brilliant grin on his face. When he sees my brother, his shoulders tense.
"Patrick." He formally nods. "I apologize for interrupting. May I speak to your sister for a moment, please?"
"Of course, you don't have to ask." Patrick nods.
"What's up, Alec?" I ask, patting the couch beside me. "Come sit down."
"Aro wishes to speak to you." A trace of excitement returns in his voice.
"Oh? What about?" I ask, setting my sketchbook aside. Alec glances at it, his eyes widening.
"Wait, is that Volterra?" He questions in shock. I look down at the work, a small smile on my face.
I had done a simple pencil sketch with a focus on shading. The castle was angled up and set on a hill with the rolling countryside in the front. I'd added the Volturi crest in the top right, along with a small hawk looking over the castle. I was proud of my work, however simple it was.
"Yeah, it is. Now, what did you need to talk to me about?" I ask, biting my lip. Patrick begins to play a quiet melody.
"Aro wishes to send you on a mission." Alec begins. "I would accompany you. We'd go to Dublin, in Ireland. A coven there has been stirring up trouble recently and the Volturi has already issued a warning. We are to visit and make sure that they are complying with our laws. If not, we are to use force."
"When would we depart?" I question, glancing at Patrick.
"In a week." Alec replies.
"Alright, it's a date then. Now, Alec, please feel free to join us. Patrick has been messing around on the piano and I've been sketching, but I wouldn't mind having a whole jam session." I offer.
"Do you play any instruments, Alec?" Patrick asks, swinging around on the piano bench.
"Not really. Jane and I have never particularly cared for music. Books have always been my preference." Alec explains.
"Well, would you like to learn? Peyton and I would be glad to teach you." Patrick suggests.
"Patrick's an excellent teacher. He taught me back when we were human. Then, I attempted to teach him how to draw and let's just say he didn't do as good." I joke, winking at my brother.
"Shhhh, we shall not talk of that." Patrick waves me off. "So, what do you say?"
"I guess that sounds good." Alec agrees, standing up hesitantly. "Where do we start?"
-o-
Alec was a quick learner. By the time we'd finished up the lesson, he'd already learned of the bass and treble clef notes, where they were on the piano, the duration of notes, and how to read ledger lines. I told him that I'd teach him and Jane how to play the flute if they wished.
Now, I was walking down the hallway to my rooms. Demetri wasn't due back for another few hours, and with Valerie and Shana were spending some alone time together. So, I find myself in front of the big throne room doors, preparing to talk to Aro.
Only to find out the throne room empty.
"Miss Peyton?" A human servant squeaks as the doors push open. "Is there something wrong?"
"Oh, Marcellus, right? Sorry to startle you, but do you know where the Ancients are? I need to speak with them." I smile softly. The green eyed male reels back.
"The Ancients? Last I heard, they were in the gardens. Do you need anything else, Miss Peyton?" Marcellus asks, returning the smile hesitantly.
"Actually, yes. Please don't call me miss, it makes me seem old." I wink at him. His heartbeat quickens before slowing down.
"Okay Mi- Peyton." He breathes.
"Again, thank you. Have a good day." I nod my head at him before starting back out. As I leave the throne room, a relieved gasp escapes the mortal.
Another reason why I didn't want to stay with the Volturi forever; I hated the fear humans had for me.
-o-
"Peyton?" Aro's musical voice calls out. I peek past some of the thick hedges, seeing the raven haired man sparkling in the sun. Caius stood a bit ahead of him, a palette full of color in his hand and a canvas in front of him. Marcus sat beside Aro, a book in his hands.
"Aro." I bow my head respectfully as I approach. "Caius. Marcus."
"Hello dear Peyton." Caius greets, smiling back at me before returning to his painting.
"What is it you need, young one?" Marcus asks, patting a spot beside him and Aro. I take a seat between the two.
"Alec informed me of a mission earlier? Since I have some free time, I was wondering about some of the details." I state, though my mind wasn't there.
"Oh? Well, as Alec may have already told you, but he will be joining you. The Dublin Coven has been close to exposing themselves, and we've issued a warning. Alec and you are some of our heavy hitters, and sending the two of you would be best. The coven consists of a female and two males, one of which with a gift of echolocation. Peyton, you are one of our kinder members too, so you can most likely reason with them. I highly suggest you avoid spying." Aro explains.
"Okay. And, you wouldn't happen to know when Demetri might be back?" I bite my lip.
"Patience, child." Marcus chuckles quietly. "He'll be home tonight."
We fall into a peaceful silence, though my mind was anything but. Finally, I touch Aro's hand slightly. He looks down at my hand before back into my eyes, hearing all my thoughts, all of my doubts, my dreams, everything.
"Tell us about it, Peyton. We're happy to listen." Aro finally states, squeezing my hand reassuringly. Marcus smiles softly as Caius turns around with concern in his eyes.
And I tell them everything. I tell them how I felt when I first met Demetri, of our struggles now, my desire to settle down someplace else with my mate and not have to worry about enemy vampire attacks against our coven. I told them of my wish to return to Forks and build my own home, to watch the sunset with Demetri on my cliffside. And they were supportive.
"When you do leave, please visit us. We'd miss you. As for Demetri, I'll order the rest of the Guard to avoid Marcus's hall. You both deserve privacy when discussing these types of matters." Caius states. I smile thankfully.
"Dear Peyton, do be sure to tell us how it goes. While we could never replace Carlisle, we all have taken a fatherly role over you. We care about you and hate to see you and Demetri struggling." Marcus says.
"And Peyton, this will be okay. You both are destined to be together, and work better as one instead of warring parts. You've brightened this old dreary castle with your presence and Demetri is lucky to have such a vivacious mate." Aro adds.
"Thank you all for your advice. I really appreciate it." I stand up from the bench, smiling down at the three vampire kings.
"We're happy to listen anytime, Peyton. Now, brothers, I believe Heidi is due back soon with food." Caius states.
"I'll leave y'all alone to feast. If you need me, I'll be in my room." I wave goodbye as I start towards the hall.
As I leave, I hear Marcus speak to Caius and Aro in a happy tone. "Our bond is a deep violet now."
The family bond. The fact makes me feel lighter.
-o-
"I'm telling you, Peyton, the man was a complete jerk! He tried to run Nessie and I completely off the road, and then, he had the nerve to try and cut us off! The nerve of some humans!" Alice rants over the phone.
"He sounds absolutely lovely. Did he know Nessie was in the car?" I ask, settling myself under my bed covers. I look out the window the see a rainbow of color in the sky. The blues and purples of the night were slowly consuming the sky, creating a beautiful night. There's always been something about twilight that amazed me.
"He had to. We had the windows rolled down and Nessie's hair was flying everywhere. Hell, I still look like a teenager too, and he definitely saw me and a certain finger." She states loudly.
"Oooh, better make sure she doesn't use that. Bella and Edward would kill you. Literally." I start to trace patterns on the mattress.
"I'm pretty sure they would prefer Nessie alive to learning a few gestures." Alice retorts.
"That's true." I chuckle. "I just find it so funny that this human got under your skin."
"Blah blah, whatever." Alice sighs. A knock sounds on my door.
"Hold on a minute, Al, someone's at my door." I force myself up from the comfortable bed, begrudgingly starting towards my door. Then, I feel it.
The flutter.
"Hey, Alice, I have to go. I'll call you later." I hang up as the door swings open. And there he was.
His lips were on mine before I could move. I found myself kissing him back, letting him take control. Before I know it, I'm against the sofa, beneath him.
"Demetri." I gasp in between kisses. He growls lowly and starts down my neck, nibbling at the pulse point.
"I missed you, Princess." He murmurs huskily, his lips moving to my ear. He bites the shell lightly, making me shiver with pleasure.
"Demetri." I attempt to push him off. He simply continues to peck my neck. "Demetri."
"My love?" He whispers, pecking my lips once more. I sit up, pushing him off lightly. "Is everything alright?"
"Actually, no." I take a deep breath. "Demetri, we need to talk."
Another chapter is done! Thank you all for the follows, favorites, and reviews! I really appreciate all the support! The next chapter will be out next Sunday.